This week we were introduced to Ali Wong’s big secret in the Preface of her book, she’s a “fucking idiot” (xi). Like I stated in class when I read this my initial reaction was, “same girl, you ain’t special”. I like to believe that everyone in the world has those certain topics that just make you feel extremely dumb. BUT, don’t fret, because it doesn’t make you dumb or a “fucking idiot”. So, as Hannah did in her post for this week, I am going to allow you all to enjoy a few of the topics in my life that really give me a run for my money.
The Difference Between a Clip and a Magazine:
So, let me start this out by saying, my father is a cop and has been since he was in his 20’s. With that being said, I have been trained in and have been firing weapons of all sizes and styles since I was about 8. I have shot a wide variety between several versions of pistols and different versions of rifles. And to THIS DAY, I still could not tell you the difference between a clip and a magazine. I consistently say clip instead of a magazine or vice versa, but you know I like to think that’s like one of those, “potato, potato” ideas. (What’s funny is the English language is so complex, but I can bet that most of you understood that potato thing).
CALCULUS:
I was in Calculus three semesters ago and nearly failed! I had three different tutors and I still struggled to understand ANYTHING! I genuinely believe that Calculus was invented by the evilest form of a demon. Calculus became and still is the bane of my existence and to this day when I think about it, I cry. However, I guess that’s a great strategy for if I want to scare someone, just think of calculus and start crying randomly.
The Metric System:
I will never understand why the US had to be different when it comes to math and measurements. It just makes everything much harder, especially if I want to travel. I went to Canada in the Summer of 2017 and it genuinely threw me off that the speed limit signs said, “Maximum 110”. I was like “damn, alright, is everyone up here secretly apart of the fast and furious crew?!” It took me a few minutes to realize that it meant 110 KM/H and not MPH.
Please keep in mind, I did not see the km/h part of the sign when I saw it. (This is just a picture off of google, but it is one of the signs I saw).
Taxes:
You know I honestly don’t know what to say here but like taxes man. They are so confusing, and I am very grateful my mother does mine for me. I am sure that if I attempted to do them, I would somehow get arrested for tax evasion.
Well, there you go! These are just an insight into the things that make me feel dumb sometimes, but I know that I am not the only person that struggles!
P.S. for those of you who struggle with the difference between “affect” and “effect”, I used to struggle but I found a picture that helped me understand the difference and I wanted to share it with you all.
I mean look at how CUTE this little monster is.
Another fun post! Sometimes I think we feel dumb about some of these things preemptively and it just stymies us perpetually...
ReplyDeleteOkay, so when beginning this post, I did not expect to relate to every single one of your examples. However, I absolutely do! My dad taught my brother and I how to shoot as well, and I have always thought the words "clip" and "magazine" were interchangeable. Calculus, though, is hard for most people (hopefully), so that makes me feel a bit better. The Metric system and Taxes are two things I really don't think I'll ever fully grasp, they are just so complicated and I genuinely don't get the concepts. I wrote this on Hannah W's post, but I'll write it here too: I don't think Wong (or you) are being self-deprecating when talking about these things. I think admitting the things that you don't understand proves that you are human, and that you aren't trying to put on the facade of being 'perfect' (whatever that means, right?). Let's all talk about the things we don't understand together, and maybe we'll learn something on the way!
ReplyDeleteI tried to do my taxes for the first time this year and just sat with tears flowing because turbo tax told me I had to pay them $40. I called my boyfriend (who is an accountant) and he was like "close the computer. Send me a picture of your W-2. I don't know why you tried to do this when it is my entire job." He has a point. I just wanted to know that if I HAD to do my taxes, I could. Turns out, I can't. ALSO A HUGE BONUS to dating a math guy is that our kids will have to go to him for math help. I will never look at another math problem again. HIGHLY recommend an accountant partner.
ReplyDeleteI can agree with all four of the things you don't understand. Me either. I enlist the help of my grandfather for my taxes because he somehow just knows what he's doing even though I don't understand how anyone could know what they're doing. As for calculus, I definitely do not understand it at ALL. Math has never been and never will be my strong suit. Just like Cheyenne said, having a partner who is good at math is always a plus.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you on all four things. My whole dads side of the family has been hunting forever and I’ve been to the range a couple times as well as hunting with them. However I couldn’t tell you the difference either. When I tried to take precalc in high school I dropped it within the first week. One thing I will never understand in kmph. However one time as a joke I was driving like 70 mph and I changed my dads car to say kmph as a joke and it said like 100 something. My dad was mad a lot first then realized I changed it. I also really wish someone would teach me taxes please!
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